Heat Shock Proteins in Maternal-Fetal Interactions
Summary
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) constitute a conserved family of molecular chaperones that maintain proteome integrity under physiological and stress conditions. In the context of pregnancy, these proteins are abundantly expressed in endometrial, decidual and trophoblast cells and play a pivotal role in the establishment and maintenance of maternal–fetal tolerance. By facilitating proper folding of nascent polypeptides, preventing protein aggregation and modulating cellular stress responses, HSPs contribute to key stages of pregnancy including decidualisation, implantation and placentation. Beyond their intracellular functions, certain HSP isoforms are secreted into the maternal circulation as extracellular HSPs (eHSPs), where they partake in immune regulation, cytokine release and vascular homeostasis. Dysregulation of HSP expression has been implicated in pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, placental ischaemic disease and early pregnancy loss, making them both biomarkers of maternal–fetal health and potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Heat Shock Proteins in Maternal-Fetal Interactions publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in heat shock proteins in maternal-fetal interactions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Heat shock protein (HSP): conserved molecular chaperones that facilitate protein folding and protect cells during physiological and environmental stress.
Extracellular heat shock protein (eHSP): HSP variants released into circulation, implicated in immune regulation and intercellular signalling at the maternal–fetal interface.
Decidualisation: hormone-driven transformation of endometrial stromal cells to support embryo implantation and placental development.
Proteomics: large-scale study of protein expression and interactions, often employing mass spectrometry to quantify proteome changes.
Maternal–fetal interface: the dynamic region of contact between maternal uterine tissues and the developing placenta where molecular and cellular exchanges occur.
Preeclampsia: gestational hypertensive disorder characterised by elevated blood pressure and organ dysfunction arising from placental insufficiency.
References
- First‐trimester plasma extracellular heat shock proteins levels and risk of preeclampsia. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (2023).
- Heat Shock Proteins and Their Role in Pregnancy: Redefining the Function of “Old Rum in a New Bottle”. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2021).
- PRM-based quantitative proteomics analysis of altered HSP abundance in villi and decidua of patients with early missed abortion. Proteome Science (2023).
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